Caring for Weary Mothers with the Heart of Jesus

Catalina* often didn’t know when she would eat her next meal. She struggled to find work and could not afford necessities, such as food and medicine.

Life has never been easy for Catalina, as childhood cancer left her blind in one eye. Yet, the economic crisis in Venezuela made everything much worse. Rising prices, a severe lack of jobs, and a collapsed healthcare system left millions of people, including Catalina, in desperate need.

Catalina is among the weary Venezuelans who made the dangerous trek across the border into Colombia, searching for financial stability and a brighter future. Although she was hopeful for a fresh start, her optimism began to fade when she struggled to earn an income selling her baked goods.

Her situation declined even more when she started feeling sick and didn’t know where to turn for help.

Catalina was relieved when someone told her that Samaritan’s Purse had set up a mobile medical clinic not far from where she was living. Our staff warmly welcomed Catalina and let her know they were there to care for her in Jesus’ Name.

Based on her physical symptoms, our staff suggested that she take a pregnancy test. Catalina was stunned—the result was positive.

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Embracing the Gift of Motherhood

“Every baby is a gift from God. We always look to protect life. We tend with the heart of Jesus.”

Our team at the mobile health facility referred Catalina to a Samaritan’s Purse maternal clinic, where she could receive free prenatal and postpartum care.

She would have the opportunity to attend demonstrations and informational courses on preparing for childbirth and caring for her newborn, receive vitamins and other nutritional support to boost her and her baby’s health, and meet with a Samaritan’s Purse counselor for emotional support.

We share the Gospel with each woman who comes to our clinic, and she has the opportunity for Christian discipleship.

Over the last five years, the two clinics we opened along the Colombia-Venezuela border have provided care to more than 3,500 mothers-to-be and their babies. We assist anyone in need, but most of our patients are women who fled Venezuela and have nowhere to go for medical care.

Catalina was grateful to know that our clinic provided so many resources. But the unexpected news of a baby on the way brought back painful memories from eight years earlier, when physical abuse from a boyfriend led to pregnancy complications, and she lost her baby.

The trauma from her past cast a shadow over the present blessing and excitement of motherhood.

“I’m scared to be a mom,” Catalina said.

While bringing a child into her already challenging life in Colombia was daunting, the support Catalina received at our clinic quickly began easing her burden.

“I started to relax after getting to know Samaritan’s Purse staff and what they do here,” she said. “I came with so many problems, and they just kept giving me so much support. They’ve helped me trust myself and kept believing in me.”

Abortion is legal and easily accessible across Colombia. Teams at our clinics are committed to supporting women like Catalina who choose life for their unborn child. We do all we can to care for them and welcome their precious babies into the world.

“Every baby is a gift from God. We always look to protect life,” said Candy Velasquez, our health program manager in Colombia. “We help mothers receive laboratory work, ultrasounds, specialized teaching, medical treatments, medicine, nutritional support, and psychological help.”

Our comprehensive approach ensures that physical needs are met and that each mother is cared for spiritually and hears the eternal hope of Christ.

“We tend with the heart of Jesus,” Candy said.

Catalina’s pregnancy was considered high risk because she was severely malnourished and underweight. She received supplements from our nutritionist, and one of our doctors treated her for other medical concerns. In just three months, she went from less than 90 pounds to almost 130 pounds.

“Thankfully, I was able to go up in weight. My health has stabilized now,” she said.

Dr. Mario Machado, one of our surgeons, met with Catalina for her initial consultation. By the end of their meeting, her entire demeanor had transformed from sad and confused to hopeful.

“I talked to her about how important life is and shared about the blessing it is to have a baby,” he said. “I saw that she did not feel alone in that moment. She was much more secure and happier with her pregnancy.”

We praise God that Catalina gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Our team treated her for preeclampsia and provided postpartum care, and we are thankful that she continues to be in good health.

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Experiencing God’s Grace

“The clinic is where I really got to know God, who is full of blessings,” she said. “I turned away from witchcraft. Throughout this process, God has been my healing.”

Growing up, Catalina was surrounded by family members who practiced witchcraft. While she had heard the Gospel, she never fully surrendered her life to Christ because of her family’s influence.

“I believed in God, but there was part of me that didn’t live for Him,” she said.

Catalina heard the Gospel from a pastor and staff at our clinic. Through these interactions, she said she felt the Lord drawing her to Himself.

“The clinic is where I really got to know God, who is full of blessings,” she said. “I turned away from witchcraft. Throughout this process, God has been my healing.”

We praise God that Catalina committed her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and is ready to follow Him.

“We saw the work of Jesus fill her life,” Dr. Machado said. “We can help medically to alleviate pain, but beyond that, we have seen how the hand of God has worked in lives affected by trauma, abuse, and maltreatment. It is an honor to be a follower of Jesus and talk to the patients about Him.”